The United Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a movement to unify, and provide a place of edification for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, no matter which division of church one is part of. There are many Churches that have stemmed from the original church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. Many claim that the others are breakaways and apostate. Our goal is to find our common ground and work together. It is our purpose to facilitate a communal spiritual environment free from the many traditions that have sprung up in the various branches.

BRIEF HISTORY

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

During the ministry of Jesus Christ his followers were called the body of Christ, meaning the church. This original church was organized of individual, independent congregations loosely bound together. After He was resurrected He left His church in the hands of chosen men, the apostles. As time progressed after the death of the apostles the Church began to become more institutionalized. This was the beginning of the Catholic, meaning Universal, Church.

Apostasy is when a person possesses God's word and then later rejects it or a portion of it. Apostasy is an individual process. However when it happens with a large number of individuals it is usually viewed as a whole. Through the institutionalization of the church, policies and practices were put forth that contradicted the teachings of Christ. Policies began to replace the Spirit.

In the first millenia AD the church went into further apostasy by combining Christianity with the prevalent Pagan religions. The church Jesus Christ originally established still existed however it was drastically different.

REFORMATION AND RESTORATION

Throughout the middle ages various people were inspired to reform the Church back to its original roots. The major result of this were several churches breaking away from the Catholic Church. At this point in time the church, meaning the community of believers, was still on the earth, it was just broken into pieces and in with varying degrees of darkness and light.

In the 1800's God raised a prophet to reform Christ's church and restore many lost principles and teachings. This prophet was Joseph Smith, Jr. After the pattern of ancient seers, Joseph Smith translated an inspired text called the Book of Mormon. This book contains an account of Christ's visit to a people somewhere on the American continent. Unlike the Old Testament which was lost for a time, and the New Testament which was assembled during a early stages of apostasy; the Book of Mormon is a more pure record. It teaches the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thus the fulness of the Gospel was restored again earth. The purpose of the Book of Mormon was to bring about a great reformation within the Christian Churches, to purify them. Joseph Smith was to have gathered scattered Christianity as one. This church organization, known later as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, struggled. There are many stories of people showing great faith. There are also stories of people lacking faith and falling short. Overall the Book of Mormon was not applied as intended. The church was fail to live as God had revealed; primarily failing to complete the Nauvoo temple in the appointed time. As a result the church came under condemnation.

SUCCESSION CRISIS

In 1831 Christ revealed the following to Joseph Smith concerning the church, "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine." This commandment was given as a directive to keep the church unified.

After the death of Joseph Smith in 1844 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints became divided. This was because Joseph Smith left, what was seen by many as, unclear instructions for who would be his successor. Instead of working together, the Church became divided. Many men stepped forward to lead the church, each with a reason why they should be leader. Groups of people followed after the different leaders. Some branches of the Church did not immediately unite behind a leader but were later brought together. All of these divisions selected or refused specific principles established in the restoration. Many churches added their own interpretations or doctrines. By allowing these teachings to divide them they violated Christ's to remain one.

Today we see these different divisions in various Church Organizations including:

• - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• - The Community of Christ
• - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(Strangite)
• - The Church of Christ(Temple Lot)
• - And many more

UNIFICATION

Today, members from the many branches of the original church, have seen these problems. They have seen a dullness, lack of spirit and energy among the many branches; and wish to help. Many people see these things and still feel a sense of loyalty to their branch of the restoration. We are all members of Christ's church and we want to see more unity and spirit around us.

These things are among the reasons why the United Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints movement was established. The purpose of this movement is not to usurp power or authority from Religious Institutions and the various branches of the original church. Rather it is our goal to provide a way for the body of Christ to become whole and function again. We want to establish places where people can come together as family and be edified.

The goal of the United Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints movement is not to establish yet another Church corporation or division. Rather it is our goal to bring together and revilatize the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, no matter which branch its members associate with. The church is not an organization or a group of leaders. The church is those people who are baptized and come unto Christ. We are simply a movement to help facilitate the continued operation and success of the original church. The succession crisis was a deadly blow that struck the church. It has resulted in division, corporatism, pride, and apostasy. Our movement exists to help the church overcome those things and accomplish the purposes that God has given us.

We invite all people regardless of gender, race, creed, or nationality to come unto Christ. Bring your knowledge, history, and diverse beliefs. Participation is completely voluntary. We have a wide variety of organizations and activities to be involved in. It is not all or nothing. If you don't like or believe in one aspect of this, you don't have to participate in that aspect. If you don't believe some of the restoration principles you don't have to believe them. All we ask is that you respect the right of others to believe as God commands them to believe. If someone believes differently than you that doesn't mean they are wrong or you are wrong it just means God wants them to learn something in their current beliefs. We should all be willing to personally receive additional light and truth from God and change our beliefs accordingly.

Come and gather upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us love God, and love and respect our neighbor as we would have others love and respect us.

Purposes

The purposes of the United Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints movement are to:

- Reunite the divided Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Perfect ourselves in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Accurately teach the origins and principles of the Restoration.
- Learn from, and be edified by, all righteous teachings; and allow an environment where the Spirit can flow freely.
- Preach the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
- Work to gather the Tribes of Israel.
- Build the City of Zion in Jackson County Missouri with its temples.
- Fill the world with Cities of Zion.
- Re-establish those organizations which were established by Joseph Smith, Jr. to accomplish these purposes.